Amusement ride



June 25, 1957 w. J. SOMMERS AMUSEMENT RIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1955 5 lll Warren J. .Somm'ers IN VENTOR.

Q By @406 Allarne June 25, 1957 w. J. SUMMERS AMUSEMENT RIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1955 m mm m 8T. H mm mV J. M 2 m w 3 m f a W Y a M Bf m s w a AI4 w 3 0 Q 4 .w m 0 3 T United States PatentO AMUSEMENT RIDE Warren J. Summers, Davenport, Fla.

Application June 17, 1955, Serial No. 516,135

2 Claims. (Cl. 27233) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in amusement devices, and more specifically to improved amusement rides.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved amusement ride of the roundabout type wherein there is supported from at least one radiating arm a being provided in the riding devices drive mechanism for effecting rotation of the support arms and the riding devices, the drive means including flexible drive members connected to the fixed driving head.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved amusement ride of the roundabout type wherein there is provided a plurality of riding devices suspended by flexible members from support arms, the riding devices being provided with occupant propulsion means connectable to a central fixed head whereby the riding devices may be rotated about the fixed head.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the amusement ride which is the subject of this invention and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the amusement ride of Figure 1 and shows the general relationship of the various components thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the riding devices of the amusement ride with a portion of the body part thereof broken away in order to clearly illustrate the manner in which the riding device is suspended, the manner in which the riding device is steered and the manner in which the riding device is driven;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 1 and shows the specific details of the fixed driving head and the mounting of the hub for the support arms; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of another end of one of the support arms and shows the specific details thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the amusement ride which is the subject of this invention, the amusement ride being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The amusement ride includes a tower 12. The tower 12 may be of any conventional design and any desired height.

2,797,099 Patented June 25, 1957 Mounted at the upper end of the tower 12 is a fixed driving head 14 which is in the forme of a fixed pulley.

Extending upwardly from the center of the driving head 14 is a shaft 16. Mounted on the shaft 16 for rotation with respect thereto and with respect to the driving head 14 is a central hub 18. The hub 18 is journaled with respect to the shaft 16 by bearings 20. The hub 18 is supported for further removal with respect to the driving head 14 by suitable thrust bearings 22.

Extending outwardly from the hub 18 is a plurality of support arms 24. The support arms 24 are mounted in pairs and are connected together at their outer ends by a shaft 26. It is to be understood that there will be one pair of support arms 24 for each riding device to be supported.

Carried by the ends of the shafts 26 for rotation therewith are fittings 28. Secured to the fittings 28 and depending therefrom are cables 30 and 32. Suspended at the lower ends of the cables 30 and 32 is a riding device which is referred to in general by reference numeral 34.

The riding device 34 is preferably configurated to replice resent an airplane although it may be of other designs.

The riding device 34 includes an elongated body 36 which has mounted amidship thereof a seat 38. The seat 38 is aligned with a cockpit. Secured to the upper part of the body 36 on opposite sides forwardly and rearwardly of the cockpit 40 are the cables 30 and 32.

In order that the riding device 34 may closely resemble an airplane, there is provided a wing 42. Also, there is provided a tail assembly 44 which includes a fixed fin 46 and a rudder 48, the rudder 48 being hingedly mounted with respect to the fixed fin 46. The rear part of the body 36 is also provided with an elevator 50 and the forward end of the body 36 is provided with a propeller 52.

In order that the rudder 48 may be controlled, there is provided a transverse bar 54 which extends from opposite sides of the rudder 48. Connected to opposite ends of the bar 54 are opposite ends of an endless cable 56. The cable 56 is reeled over a drum 58 which has connected thereto a steering wheel 60 disposed in front of the occupants seat 38. The cable 56 is guided with respect to the drum 58 by suitable pulleys 62.

In order that the riding devices 34 may be driven, there is mounted in the forward portion of each body 36 a crank assembly 64. The crank assembly 64 is carried by suitable bearing supports 66 and is provided with a central drive pulley 68. Entrained over the drive pulley 68 and extending upwardly through the top part of the body 36 is an elongated drive belt 70.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is mounted on the shaft 26 direction reversing pulleys 72. The pulleys 72 are positioned on the shaft 26 by means of suitable fasteners 74. The intermediate portion of the drive belt is entrained over the direction reversing pulleys 72.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the driving head 14 is provided with a plurality of belt receiving grooves 76 in the periphery thereof. There is one belt receiving groove 76 for each riding device 34 and disposed within such belt receiving groove 76 are the drive belts 70. The drive belts 70 are guided with respect to their relative belt receiving grooves 76 by means of guide pulleys 78 carried by brackets 80 suspended from the support arms 24. The guide pulleys 78 are of different heights so as to align the different drive belts 70 with their different recesses 76.

As is best illustrated in Figure 1, the guide pulleys 78 are disposed closely adjacent each other. By so positioning the guide pulleys 78, the drive belts 70 will engage a greater portion of the driving head 14 to effect a greater gripping action. Further, this permits the disposal of the 3 drive belts '70 within the confines of the pairs of support arms 24 to provide suitable protection therefor.

Referring once again to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that the riding devices 34 are disposed closely adjacent the ground '82. The ridingde'vices 34 may be positioned sufficiently close to the (ground to permit an occupant to cli mbttherein directly from the ground or there may be provided a platform (not shown) to permit the occupants to enter 'the riding devices 34. After the desired number of occupants have entered the riding devices 34, such occupants will drive the drive pulley 68 by means of the crank assemblies 64. This willres ult in the driving of the support arms 24 and the riding devices 34 about the shaft 16. The speed of the riding devices 34 will depend upon the cooperation of the occupants of the riding devices 34 and their efforts. The ride maybe made more enjoyable by operating the rudder 48 of each riding device 34 so as to control the flight of the riding device 34 in its generally circular path.

While the drive pulleys 68 have been illustrated and described as being connected to a crank assembly 64 for rotation in a pedal fashion, it is to be understood, if desired, the riding devices 34 may be provided with small electric motors and the'like so that occupant propulsion would not be necessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An amusement ride'comprising a tower, a fixed head mounted on the upper end of the said tower, a central shaft extending upwardly from said head, a hub journaled on said shaft for rotation, at least one pair of support arms extending outwardly from said hub, a transverse shaft connecting together outer ends of said support arms, depending flexible support members secured to said transverse shaft, a riding device disposed below said support arms and suspended from said flexible support members, said riding device including a seat and a drive assembly, the drive assembly being operable by an occupant of the riding device and including 'a drive pulley, said fixed head being in the form of affixed pulley, drive pulleys on said transverse shaft, and a flexible drive member entrained over said drive pulley, said guide pulleys and said fixed head whereby rotation of said drive pulley effects rotation of said 'hub and said support arms together with said riding device about said shaft and at the same time facilitates swinging movement of said riding device about said transverse shaft.

2. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein said -hub rests upon and is supported by said fixed head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,338 Rodehafer Feb. 25, L896 575, 624 Weston Jan. 19, 1897 2,163,360 Bisch c June 20, 1939 2,693,958 .Ellenberger Nov. 9, 1954 

